Surgical sealing systems for instrument stabilization

Abstract

Surgical sealing systems are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical sealing system includes a seal housing having a plurality of ports, in which each of port has a nominal size and shape, is configured to assume a selected and/or shape that is different from the nominal size and shape, and is constrained by the size and shape of each of the other plurality of ports. The position of an instrument and a force applied thereto is effective to change the size and/or shape of the ports based on the movement, direction, and force of the instrument, and the ability to alter the nominal shape of any one port is constrained or limited by the size and shape of the other ports, thereby enabling a force applied to one instrument positioned within one of the plurality of ports to stabilize at least one other instrument positioned within others of the plurality of ports.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A surgical sealing system, comprising:
 a sealing device having a seal housing with a predetermined size and shape, the seal housing being configured to be at least partially disposed within a body cavity and having a plurality of ports; 
 wherein each of the plurality of ports has a nominal orientation, size and shape and each is configured to assume a selected orientation, size and shape that is different from the nominal orientation, size and shape, the selected orientation, size and shape of each port being determined responsive to the orientation, size and shape of each of the other plurality of ports; 
 wherein each of the plurality of ports is configured to form a seal around an instrument inserted therethrough; and 
 wherein an orientation, size and/or shape of a first port of the plurality of ports, with a first instrument inserted therethrough, and a first force applied thereto is effective to change an orientation, size and/or shape of at least one second port of the plurality of ports, to limit the movement of at least one second instrument positioned within the at least one second port based on the orientation, size and/or shape of the first port. 
 
     
     
       2. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one electromechanical arm, and wherein at least one instrument that is inserted into a respective port of the plurality of ports is connected to the at least one electromechanical arm. 
     
     
       3. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first port of the plurality of ports is configured to apply the first force to the first instrument that is inserted therethrough to thereby limit movement thereof within a first plane, and the at least one second port is configured to apply at least one second force to the at least one second instrument that is inserted therethrough to thereby limit movement thereof within at least one second plane, the at least one second plane being non-parallel to the first plane. 
     
     
       4. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one port of the plurality of ports includes a threaded restraint configured to fixate an instrument inserted therethrough. 
     
     
       5. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the first instrument and the at least one second instrument that are inserted into the first port and the at least one second port, respectively, are stabilized simultaneously by a central anchoring tool that is configured to be inserted through a third port of the plurality of ports. 
     
     
       6. The surgical system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more ports of the plurality of ports are rigid relative to one or more other ports of the plurality of ports. 
     
     
       7. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one port of the plurality of ports is configured to change shape and size in response to external energy being applied thereto. 
     
     
       8. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one port of the plurality of ports is formed of a ferromagnetic material that is configured to be structurally altered in response to exposure to an electromagnet. 
     
     
       9. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one port of the plurality of ports includes a locking arm arranged within a slot of the seal housing, the locking arm being configured to lock a position of the at least one port relative to the seal housing. 
     
     
       10. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing housing further comprises a flexible inner body member and a rigid outer body member, wherein each port of the plurality of ports is arranged within the inner body member. 
     
     
       11. The surgical sealing system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one port of the plurality of ports includes a rigid ring encapsulated by the flexible inner body member. 
     
     
       12. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one port of the plurality of ports includes a locking structure that is configured to interact and collapse around an instrument passing therethrough to fixate the inserted instrument within the at least one port. 
     
     
       13. The surgical sealing system of  claim 12 , wherein the locking structure has a honeycomb configuration. 
     
     
       14. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing device comprises a retractor that is coupled to the seal housing and configured to be positioned in a natural body orifice or an opening formed in tissue. 
     
     
       15. The surgical sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing device comprises at least one retention element that is configured to affix the seal housing to tissue.